Michael Payer is a Northern Irish-Australian actor, director, writer, producer and former diplomat who grew up in the Sydney suburb of Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. Michael has lived and worked in Brussels, Helsinki, Dublin and Fiji, and has over 15 years of experience spanning theatre, musical theatre, film and hosting. He trained at the Gaiety School of Acting — The National Theatre School of Ireland, and Bow Street Academy — Ireland’s National Screen Acting School.

Michael has most recently worked in New Zealand on a feature film, and on stage as Hugo / Loco Chanelle in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at The MAC Belfast (2025). He is also Associate Producer on the Fijian Behind The Lines trilogy of feature films (Salt of the Earth Productions, 2026). Michael co-produced & directed MAMMA MIA! The Musical in Fiji as the country’s first-ever musical theatre production.

Michael’s stage credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Hairspray and Shrek the Musical. He is represented in Australia by GJ International Management and in Ireland by Broocks Agency.